Experience the open road like never before with American Truck Simulator, the captivating sequel to Euro Truck Simulator 2. Boasting a massive player base and a wealth of incredible mods, ATS offers endless possibilities. But with thousands of mods available, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming. Here are ten top-tier mods to significantly enhance your ATS gameplay. Remember, compatibility may vary, so enable and disable mods individually within the game as needed.
TruckersMP: Multiplayer Mayhem
While American Truck Simulator now features a built-in multiplayer mode, the community-created TruckersMP mod remains a popular choice. Team up with up to 63 other players for a truly shared trucking experience. With numerous servers and a dedicated moderation team, TruckersMP offers a robust and regulated online environment. While ATS's Convoy mode is fun, TruckersMP often surpasses it in several aspects.
Realistic Truck Wear: A More Authentic Challenge
ATS allows truck purchases, but on the road, you're stuck with your current rig. This mod refines the damage system for a more realistic and fair experience. Instead of immediate tire replacements, you can retread them multiple times. However, this realism extends to increased insurance costs, incentivizing safe driving. Even without installing it, browsing the Steam Workshop discussions (including contributions from real truckers) is worthwhile.
Sound Fixes Pack: Immersive Audio Enhancements
Also available for Euro Truck Simulator 2, this mod introduces numerous audio tweaks and additions. Beyond the obvious improvements (like more noticeable wind sounds with open windows), subtle enhancements like reverb under bridges significantly enrich the ATS soundscape. Plus, five new air horns are always a welcome addition.
Real Companies, Gas Stations, and Billboards: A Touch of Reality
Real-world brand integration in open-world games is uncommon. This mod, however, brings the authenticity of brands like Walmart, UPS, and Shell into ATS, adding a layer of realism to your virtual trucking journey.
Realistic Truck Physics: Enhanced Handling
This mod focuses on improving vehicle suspension and other physics aspects, offering a more authentic driving experience without making the game excessively difficult. It's available for both ATS and Euro Truck Simulator 2.
Ludicrously Long Trailers: A Hilarious Challenge
For those seeking a unique and challenging experience (especially streamers!), this mod introduces absurdly long trailer combinations. While incredibly difficult to maneuver, it provides a memorable and often humorous gameplay twist. Note that it's incompatible with multiplayer.
Realistic Brutal Graphics and Weather: Enhanced Visuals
Contrary to its name, this mod doesn't transform ATS into a chaotic weather simulator. Instead, it enhances the existing weather system with improved visuals, including new skyboxes and more realistic fog effects. Best of all, it's surprisingly lightweight on system resources.
Slow Traffic Vehicles: The Unexpected Delays
This mod introduces slow-moving vehicles like tractors and garbage trucks, adding an element of realism and unexpected challenges to your routes. The frustration of being stuck behind slow traffic is balanced by the satisfaction of eventually overtaking.
Optimus Prime: Transform Your Trucking Experience
Transformers fans rejoice! This mod offers multiple Optimus Prime skins for various truck models, allowing you to drive as the iconic Autobot leader. Requires purchasing the appropriate truck model within the game.
More Realistic Fines: Risk vs. Reward
This mod alters the penalty system, making minor infractions like speeding less consistently punished unless caught on camera or by a police officer. While introducing riskier gameplay, it adds a strategic layer to your driving decisions.
These ten mods offer a diverse range of enhancements for American Truck Simulator. For European trucking adventures, explore the top mods for Euro Truck Simulator 2 as well.
